English towns where 3 out of 4 people are overweight

MORE than three-quarters of people in some towns and cities are now overweight as the obesity epidemic spirals out of control.

A total of 63.8 per cent of adults in England are classed as overweight or obese [GETTY]

Damning figures revealed yesterday the terrible toll junk and fast-food diets and a lack of exercise are having with shocking levels of fat people now across the country.

Overall, an incredible 63.8 per cent of adults in England are overweight or obese – with a body mass index of 25 or over.

But in some towns and cities, that figure soars to more than three-quarters, with Cumbria the fattest county, making its inhabitants more likely to develop cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even dementia.

According to Public Health England, the fattest region is the North-east, where 68 per cent of people are overweight followed by the West Midlands at 65.7 per cent.

Looking at counties, North Yorkshire and Staffordshire are both on 67.9 per cent with County Durham at 72.5 per cent.

But when local authority areas are examined the figures are even grimmer with Copeland in Cumbria the fattest at 75.9 per cent.

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Even Kensington and Chelsea at the bottom of the list has almost half its residents overweight.

Professor Kevin Fenton, the body’s director of health and wellbeing, said: “Many local authorities are already working hard to reduce obesity levels and these new data will help all local areas monitor their progress in tackling these long-standing problems.

“People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

“Excess weight can also affect self-esteem and mental health. Overall health problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS over £5billion each year.

“There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is a complex issue that requires action at individual, family, local and national levels. We can all play our part in this by eating a healthy, balanced diet and being more active.”

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Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: “The publication of these figures has to be welcomed because they will give local authorities a better chance of fighting obesity than did 15 years of tackling the epidemic from Westminster.

“County and town halls were handed the poisoned chalice of doing something about the epidemic only last April but were underfunded for the task.

“The overall figure of 64 per cent for the country is bad enough but when figures rise to around 80 per cent for some local areas one has to believe that the problem may be insurmountable.”

Joseph Clift, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “These new figures hold a mirror in front of the country’s waistline and it reflects a very unhealthy picture.

“This should be a catalyst for action at a local and national level. The Westminster Government needs to introduce consistent regulation for advertising unhealthy products on TV and online to stop food companies exploiting loopholes.

“Local authorities need to be designing towns and cities in ways which encourage people to be more active whether that’s by walking or cycling.

“They also need to ensure that everyone has access to high quality green spaces where people can play sport or be active.”